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Located in north-eastern Hokkaido, Akan-Mashu Park is noted for its caldera lakes, forests and hot springs. There are two ways to visit park on a day trip. One is to travel north from Kushiro, the other is to travel south from Abashiro. Both trips can be done by train. I took the single carriage train from Abashiri to Awayu-onsen. After leaving the coast at Shiro, the train was hugged closely by the surrounding forest. |
Arriving at Awayu-onsen Station I did not how to proceed to the lakes. In my ignorance I wandered into a room containing a foot bath. Something to be considered for later. A logical spot to orientate was the tourist information center. Purchasing a two-day bus pass, costing 1500 yen, even though I only plan to stay a day, was probably not amongst my wisest decisions. I did not know if there was a one day pass. The lady at the tourist centre spoke very little English. If you have time, a two day pass is good value. Visit the sights on the first day and on the second, enjoy the hot springs, located on Lake Kusshiro's shore.
The bus was partly tour, partly hop-off, hop-on. It did stop for extended periods at Lake Mashu, Mt Io, Sunayu and Bihiro Pass. If you wish to stay longer you would have to reboard when it returned or catch the next bus. It did not linger at any of the hot springs.
Commencing at the station my first destination was the Lake Mashu Observatory. It is reached after a step 200m climb to the top of the crater followed by a two kilometers drive along the rim. During my visit it rained restricting views and photographic opportunities. Though not appreciated at the time because of the inclement weather, Lake Mashu is one of the clearest lakes in the world.
I stayed, for about twenty minutes and then retracing the route back to the train station proceeded onwards to Mt Io.
Mount Io, an active sulphurous volcano, is 1.7km from Awayu-onsen Station. Though known to eject liquid sulphur during eruptions, the last occurring in 1936, vents can be closely approached. A mixture of sulphur and sulphur dioxide gives the air a mild rotten egg smell. However, it is not over powering. Between 1865 and 1867 Mt Io was mined for sulphur.
Steam vents from the surrounding heavily forested countryside.
Sunayu, on the shores of Lake Kussharo, was the next significant stop. Noted for its warm black volcanic sands, people made their own mini onsens by digging into the sand. Cold lake water is warmed as it seeps through the sand. While I was there no one was bathing. I was not sure how stable the dug holes would be for a full bodied bath, but it would be satisfactory for foot baths.
Bihiro Pass was the last stop before the bus retraced the route back to the station. Though it has the usual restaurant and souvenir shops the real attraction was the panoramic views of Lake Kusshiro and Nakijima Island. The viewing area, a little higher than the restaurant/car park area, is reached by walking along wide gently ascending steps.
Returning, the bus stopped at the same places as the forward journey, but only long enough to board or alight.
Back at the station, I took advantage of the foot bath. The hot water soothed and warmed my feet. I really should have worn shoes with socks.